Tools Official Telegram

BotFather

The official Telegram bot for creating, configuring, and managing every other bot on the platform.

Open in Telegram

Updated

What it does

BotFather is the bot you talk to in order to create another bot on Telegram. It hands out API tokens, registers commands, manages bot profile information, and configures advanced features like inline mode and mini app web domains. Anyone with a Telegram account can use it.

Developers use BotFather as the entry point for every project that runs on the Telegram Bot API. Without a token issued by BotFather, no other bot would be able to send or receive messages.

It is operated directly by Telegram and is the single source of truth for bot identity on the platform.

Why people use it

  • Required to obtain an API token for any new Telegram bot.
  • Centralizes bot management: descriptions, about text, profile pictures, and command lists.
  • Configures advanced features like mini apps, inline mode, payment providers, and group privacy.

How to use it

  1. Tap "Open in Telegram" above.
  2. Send /start and then /newbot.
  3. Pick a display name and a unique username ending in bot.
  4. Save the API token BotFather returns. Treat it like a password.
  5. Use further commands like /setdescription, /setcommands, and /setdomain to configure your bot.

Features

  • /newbot creates a new bot and returns an API token.
  • /mybots lists all bots tied to your account with management menus.
  • /setcommands defines the slash-command menu shown to users.
  • /setdomain links a mini app web URL to your bot.
  • /setinline enables inline mode for use in any chat.
  • /revoke rotates the API token if it has leaked.
  • /deletebot retires a bot you no longer need.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free?

Yes. Creating and running bots through BotFather is free. Telegram does not charge for the Bot API itself, though hosting your bot's backend may cost money.

Is it safe?

BotFather is operated by Telegram. Your bot's API token gives full control over the bot, so do not share it publicly. Use /revoke immediately if you suspect a leak.

Where can I get help?

Telegram's developer documentation at core.telegram.org/bots is the canonical reference. The @BotSupport account is the official channel for bot owners.

Behind the app

BotFather has been part of Telegram since the Bot API launched in 2015 and is maintained by the Telegram team. It is one of the longest-running bots on the platform and remains the only way to register a new bot, which makes it a load-bearing piece of Telegram's developer ecosystem.

Official Telegram app. Verified directly by Telegram. The link above goes to the genuine app.
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